order 1 of 2

1
2
3
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common collects movie posters, photographs and autographs of the stars, and other memorabilia of that order

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in medal
a piece of metal given in honor of a special event, a person, or an achievement a book with full-color illustrations of British orders and decorations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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7
as in class
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped the lower orders were once expected to be content living out their lives as servants to the upper classes

Synonyms & Similar Words

8

order

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to request
to give a request or demand for the players ordered hamburgers for lunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to ask
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the teacher ordered that everyone sit down immediately and be quiet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb order contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of order are arrange, marshal, methodize, organize, and systematize. While all these words mean "to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other," order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion.

ordered her business affairs

Where would arrange be a reasonable alternative to order?

The words arrange and order are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment.

arranged the files numerically

When can marshal be used instead of order?

The meanings of marshal and order largely overlap; however, marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use.

marshaling the facts for argument

When would methodize be a good substitute for order?

While in some cases nearly identical to order, methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme.

methodizes every aspect of daily living

When might organize be a better fit than order?

In some situations, the words organize and order are roughly equivalent. However, organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function.

organized the volunteers into teams

In what contexts can systematize take the place of order?

The synonyms systematize and order are sometimes interchangeable, but systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme.

systematized billing procedures

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of order
Noun
The makers claim that the Pro X helps to redistribute weight and effort in order to reduce strain on knees, hips and ankles, especially when carrying a load. New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025 And don’t look now, but in Saturday night’s interview session it was suggested to Roberts that, given the pitching legacy of this organization, maybe some comparisons would be in order. Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
Officials in recent days ordered evacuations in parts of Kingston vulnerable to flash-flooding and storm surge. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025 Karschnick was also ordered to have no contact with children under 12 but is allowed to contact her own. Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for order
Noun
  • That started with the volleyball spike of a 7-foot-1 player’s hook shot and continued to the tallest player in the league calmly breaking into a left-handed push dribble, coming under control and then hitting a complex six-dribble sequence and stepback 3-pointer plus the foul.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • There’s a spiritual dimension to that song and that sequence in the movie.
    Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But last week, the company was declared a transnational criminal organization by United States authorities, and Chen was charged in absentia in New York with money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, along with several associates.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The organization provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of falling or disabled military service members and first responders.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Cipressa is a 1984 Olympic gold medalist in team foil and former head coach of Italy’s Olympic foil team, who led the team to three Olympic medals from 2013 to 2021.
    Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • But experts say jewelry, coins or medals, meanwhile, are at risk of being lost forever — and quickly.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • To combat this, a 4-2-3-1 can be morphed into multiple defensive shapes depending on the head coach’s preference.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Plenty of Mustangs over the years have bolstered that shape with big wings on the rear, but none have received the kind of aerodynamic augmentation seen on the GTD.
    Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • It's also recommended to teach your children essential information like full name spellings, birthdates, addresses and any instructions on what to do in case of an emergency, according to the organization's safety plan checklist.
    Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Use insecticidal soap, neem or horticultural oils, or Spinosad, and follow label instructions.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • One that’s without obvious world class centre-backs in the absence of Gleison Bremer.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • One of the hallmarks of La Revue du monde noir was its focus on global liberation for all people, regardless of race, nationality, gender, or class.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There, McIlroy was seen posing for photos with several of his trophies arranged on the basalt rocks, paying tribute to a season that many consider his most meaningful of all time.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Victoria Goodwin was sentenced to prison in May for arranging the plot with a Florida inmate.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The associations had requested to leave a window open for companies to enhance auditing on their own.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Gill's defense attorney requested a cash bond or split bond, which would allow some of the money paid to cover future fines, fees or restitution.
    Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/order. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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